Upgrading to WAAS: Answers from Industry Experts

Everything you wanted to know about WAAS but were afraid to ask

The FAA is slowly cancelling redundant ILS approaches, shifting its focus toward developing more satellite-based approaches with ground references. However, budgets are tight and many questions still surround WAAS/LPV upgrades.

Is now the time to upgrade to WAAS? What is the difference between a STC and field approval process? Why are upgrades so expensive? Duncan Aviation's industry experts answer some of the common questions and confusion surrounding these upgrades.

This field guide is a tool to help owners and operators understand why WAAS is important and factors to take into consideration as they plan an upgrade.

WAAS Upgrade Topics

• Meeting Future Needs
• The Difference Between WAAS & LPV
• WAAS Installation Challenges
• Field Approvals vs. STCs
• The Future of WAAS

Introduction

One can almost feel the clock ticking for the 60-year-old Instrument Landing System (ILS) approaches and their expensive annual maintenance costs. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has been cancelling redundant instrument ground-based approaches for several years, shifting its focus toward developing more satellite-based approaches with ground references.

This effort was reaffirmed by the FAA’s cancellation of more than 130 redundant ILS approaches in mid-December last year, as reported by the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA). However, no hard mandate for satellite-based Wide Area Augmentation System / Localizer Performance with Vertical Guidance (WAAS/ LPV) approaches is expected by industry experts... yet.

While the focus may be shifting away from ILS approaches, budgets are tight and many questions still surround WAAS/LPV upgrades.

Contributing Authors

Elofson, Steve - Avionics Installations Sales Rep. - Lincoln, NE (LNK). Aviation professional since 1989. Airframes: Challenger Direct: +1 402.479.1603 Mobile: +1 402.416.6311 Fax: +1 402.479.1611

Harpster, Gary - Avionics Installations Sales Rep. - Lincoln, NE (LNK). Aviation professional since 1977. Airframes: Hawker, Learjet Direct: +1 402.475.2611 ext. 1374

Ostertag, Chad - Avionics Installations Sales Rep - Battle Creek, MI (BTL). Aviation professional since 2007. Airframes: Challenger, Falcon, Hawker, Learjet, Global Direct: +1 269.969.8418 Mobile: +1 269.209.4511 Fax: +1 269.969.8489

Pleskac, Dave - Avionics Installations Sales Rep. - Lincoln, NE (LNK). Aviation professional since 1968. Airframes: Falcon Direct: +1 402.479.1509 Mobile: +1 402.304.0392 Fax: +1 402.479.1611

Vena, Justin - Avionics Installations Sales Rep. - Battle Creek, MI (BTL). Aviation professional since 1988. Airframes: Astra, Citation, Falcon, Gulfstream Direct: +1 269.968.8789 Mobile: +1 269.420.5375

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